Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-20

Then little out OF CURIOSITY, put
more, I grayely declare, because
thought Il the right thing to do, re-
solved TO seek out George Ritherdon.
| had no difficulty in learning where ne
might be found. turned up the firm
of Rithertlon Brothers George and
Gerald). cotton-spinners and India mer.
chants. In the first directory l consult
ed. And about noon the next day
called at their place OF business AMI
sent in nv card to the senior partner. ]
waited five minutes-curiously scanned
by the porter, who no doubt saw like
ness between me and his employer
and then was admitted to the latter's
room.
He was n tall man, with fair beard
not one whit like Gerald, and yet' tole-
rshly good. looking. II say more ]
shall seem TO be describing myself.
fancied him TO be balder about the
TEMPLES, however, and grayer ana
more carewon than the man L am IN
tie habit of seeing in my shaving
class. His ewes, too, had a hard look,
and he seemed in i'll health. All these
things | took in later. At the time
only noticed his clothes. $50 the old
gentleman is dead" thought, "and
the young ones tale is true after all.
| George Kitherdon was in deep mourn
ing.
81 wrote to you," began, taking
the seat to which he pointed, "about
fortnight ago." =,
He looked at my card, which he held
in his hand. 81 think not" he said
slowly.
"ies, repeated. You were then
at the London and Northwestern Hotel,
at Liverpool"
He was stepping to his writing-table,
iut he stopped abruptly. :" was in
Liverpool" he answered in different
tone. "but Twas not at that hotel. You
are thinking of my brother are you
not?"
"No," said. at was your brother
who told me you were there"
"Perhaps you had better explain
what was the subject of your letter,
be suggested, speaking in the weary
tone OF one returning to painful mat
ter. Il have been through a great
trouble lately, and this may well have
been overlooked"
said / would, and as briefly as pos
sible told the main facts of my strange
visit in Fitzharding Square. He was
much moved, walking up and down the
room as he listened, and giving vent to
ordinations from time to time, until |
came to the arrangement | had finally
made with his brother. Then he
raised his hand as one mightdO in pain.
Enough" he said abruptly.
"Parnes told me a rambling tale of
some stranger. / understand it all
now."
$50 DO I, think !" replied dryly.
Your brother went to Liverpool and
received the papers in your name?"
He murmured what took for eyes.
But he did not utter single word OF
acknowledgment to me or Of reproba-
ton Of his brothers deceit. | thought
some such word should have been
SPOKEN, and let my feelings carry me
away. LET Inc tell YOU" L said
warmly, "that your brother is -
"Hush !" he said, holding up his
hand again. "Re is dead.
Dead !" l repeated, shocked and
amazed.
"Have you not read of it in the pa
pers? II is in all the papers, he said
YEARLY. "He committed suicide-God
'oroive me for it at Liverpool. at the
hotel You have mentioned, and the day
after you saw him. "
| And so it was. He had committed
some serious forgery-he had always
been wild, though his father, slow to
see it. had only lately closed his purse
to him-and the forged signatures
had come into his brothers power. lie
had cheated his brother before. There
had long been bad blood between
them, the one being as cold, business
like. and masterful as the other was
idle and jealous.
II told him." the elder said to me,
shading his eyes with his hand, 'thai
[ should let him be prosecuted-that
would not protect or shelter him. The
threat nearly drove him mad, ano
while it was hanging over him ! wrot,
TO disclose the matter to Sir Charles
Gerald thought his last chance lay II
recovering this letter unread. The
proofs against him destroyed, he nigh
laugh at me. His first attempts failed
and then he planned, with Barnes
cognizance, to get possession OF tl'
packet by dragging my fathers wins
kov Barness courage deserted him
be called you in, and-and you know
the rest"
But" I said softly, "your brothe
did get the letter-at Liverpool.
George Ritherdon groaned. eyes,
he said, "he did. The proofs wer'
. not inclosed After writing the out
r side letter / changed my mind AM
r withheld them, explaining my reason
, within. He found his plot laid in vain
. and it was under the shock OF this dis
appointment-the packet lay befor
him. resealed and directed to me-tha
he-that he did it. Poor Gerald y
, Poor Gerald" ] said. What els
remained to be said?
1t nav be a survival of superstition
vet when | dine in Baker street now
; take some care to 60 home by an.
, other route than that through Fltz
: hardinge Square.